Type 2 Diabetes FAQs

Posted on by Jordan Soblick

Every day in America, someone receives the news that they have type 2 diabetes. While type 2 is the most common form of diabetes, with tens of millions of Americans living with the condition, it can come as a shock when you find out that you are now one of them. Worry about how diabetes will affect your lifestyle and whether it will lead to further health complications can be overwhelming. But living with type 2 diabetes doesn’t mean living a less full life, nor does it mean that you are necessarily at risk for the many potential health problems associated with the condition.

With thoughtfulness, vigilance, and common-sense steps like eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly (and, maybe, medication or insulin), you can keep type 2 diabetes in check.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Also called adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar levels caused by the body’s inability to produce and use insulin properly and efficiently. It typically develops after the age of 35, though an increasing number of younger adults are being diagnosed with the condition.

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body does not turn carbohydrates from food into energy as it is supposed to. When functioning properly, the pancreas releases insulin when blood sugar levels rise. That insulin is what opens the door for blood sugar to get into the body’s cells, where it can provide needed energy. The lack of sufficient insulin can back up all of that glucose in the bloodstream, where it can cause significant problems.

What Is The Difference Between Type 2 and Type 1 Diabetes?

People with type 2 can produce some of their own insulin, but it is often in insufficient quantities to do the job. Those with type 1 diabetes have a different problem with insulin – they can’t produce it at all.

In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas. Without islet cells, the body cannot produce its own insulin. As a result, the sugars stay in the bloodstream, essentially starving the cells of the energy they need to maintain the body’s essential functions. That is why so many complications of type 1 diabetes involve problems with the heart, kidneys, and other organs.

What Are The Biggest Risk Factors For Developing Type 2 Diabetes?

Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, along with genetics and age, increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Approximately 90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. That extra weight makes it even harder for a struggling body to use the already insufficient amount of insulin it is producing.

Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Prevented?

The way you live and eat can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. Losing five to ten percent of your weight along with regular exercise and a healthy diet can prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes in at-risk individuals.

What Are The Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes develops over time, which means you may not experience symptoms for a while. The most common signs that you may have type 2 diabetes include:

  • Thirst
  • Frequent urination,
  • Fatigue and tiredness
  • Listlessness
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness

Is There A Cure For Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition for which there is no cure at present. That said, the condition can be managed effectively such that those living with type 2 diabetes can live full, healthy, active lives. All it takes are some lifestyle adjustments, vigilant and continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels, and, if needed, supplemental insulin.

What Is The Best Way For People With Type 2 Diabetes To Monitor Their Blood Glucose Levels?

Monitoring and maintaining blood sugar level levels are critical to living with type 2 diabetes and avoiding some of its more severe complications.

Traditionally, such monitoring involved the inconvenient and uncomfortable burden of pricking a finger multiple times a day to get and test blood samples. Now, an alternative to finger-prick glucose monitoring is available and may be suitable for some individuals with type 2 diabetes. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is a tested, approved, accurate, and easy-to-use transceiver device that helps those with diabetes monitor keep abreast of their blood sugar levels 24/7 without any need to stop what their doing to take a blood sample.

You will need a doctor’s prescription to qualify to receive a CGM for your diabetes management. For those with type 2 diabetes, in particular, CGM may not be a recommended or viable alternative to traditional glucose monitoring.

To determine whether you may be a good candidate for switching to CGM, fill in the quick form here or contact us today.

CALL US TO QUALIFY NOW

If you are not insured, or have a high deductible health insurance plan, you can still purchase the Freestyle Libre Reader and Sensors at extremely competitive prices. Prices starting as low as $99 per month

1-888-308-0094

*Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings when you suspect readings may be in accurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

Reference 1: Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. 2, FreeStyle Libre 14 day User’s Manual

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring systems are continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices indicated for replacing blood glucose testing and detecting trends and tracking patterns aiding in the detection of episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, facilitating both acute and long-term therapy adjustments in persons (age 18 and older) with diabetes. The systems are intended for single patient use and require a prescription.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Remove the sensor before MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or diathermy treatment.

WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS: Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high blood glucose, hypoglycemic unawareness, or dehydration. Check sensor glucose readings with a blood glucose meter when Check Blood Glucose symbol appears, when symptoms do not match system readings, or when readings are suspected to be inaccurate. The system does not have alarms unless the sensor is scanned, and the system contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed. The system is not approved for pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically-ill population. Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm and standard precautions for transmission of blood borne pathogens should be taken. The built-in blood glucose meter is not for use on dehydrated, hypotensive, in shock, hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis, neonates, critically-ill patients, or for diagnosis or screening of diabetes. When using FreeStyle LibreLink app, access to a blood glucose monitoring system is required as the app does not provide one. Review all product information before use or contact Abbott Toll Free (855-632-8658) or visit www.freestylelibre.us for detailed indications for use and safety information.html. . FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018 Abbott. ADC-09691 vLO 10/18

*The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations

‡‡‡Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

§§§Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading